Denton County Living Well Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 15

You’re Never Too Old
for Weight-Loss Surgery

G

ood news. Studies have shown that age does
not appear to significantly increase the risks
associated with having weight loss surgery.
So what does this mean if you’re a senior
who may be struggling with weight issues?
“There’s been a fairly dramatic increase nationally in
the offering of bariatric surgery to older patients in recent
years,” says David Provost, M.D., one of the foremost bariatric surgeons in North Texas and founder of Provost Bariatrics in Denton. “Older patients definitely benefit from
surgery, often more in terms of quality of life than younger
patients. We also see good improvements in medical conditions related to obesity along with enhanced motivation and
self-confidence.”
Dr. Provost emphasizes the benefits that can be had by
seniors who undergo weight loss surgery by calling to mind
one of his patients who underwent a Lap-Band® procedure
at the golden age of 74.
Gary McCoy weighed 280 pounds when he first met with
Dr. Provost in 2011. Gary had been an avid runner until age
50, but bad knees began to take a toll on his fitness routine
and weight. He was on medication for type 2 diabetes, high
cholesterol and hypertension as well as a CPAP machine
for sleep apnea, and was unable to even walk to the mailbox
and back without being winded.
When Gary approached Dr. Provost, who is one of the
area’s few bariatric surgeons to accept Medicare patients,
he was concerned that he might be too old for weight-loss
surgery. The staff at Provost Bariatrics worked with Gary
to thoroughly assess his situation and determined that he
was a good candidate for Lap-Band surgery.

Making a
Transformation after Age 70

During Gary’s surgical procedure, Dr. Provost inserted
an adjustable gastric band laparoscopically into his stomach to help limit his food intake and decrease his hunger. Dr. Provost chose the minimally invasive procedure
because it offers ease of band insertion, a shorter hospital
stay (or no hospital stay, in Gary’s case) and rapid recovery.
Other surgical weight loss options that have proven effective in individuals over 50 include sleeve gastrectomy and
Roux-N-Y gastric bypass. With a sleeve gastrectomy, a portion of the stomach is removed to permanently reduce the
stomach’s size. In a Roux-N-Y gastric bypass procedure, a
portion of the stomach is used to create a pouch that causes
food to bypass part of the small intestine to reduce its absorption by the body.
“We have been very pleased with the results of the LapBand for Gary and other minimally invasive procedures
for our older patients,” says Dr. Provost. “Of course, each
procedure has its distinct advantages depending on the individual, and surgery is not the end all. To ensure long-term

By David Provost, MD

weight-loss success, you need to adhere to prescribed eating habits, exercise and follow-up care.”
Now at age 76, Gary has not only maintained his weight
loss, but also bikes 75 to 100 miles each week and recently
took up scuba diving. After surgery, he was down to 205
pounds and was able to discontinue all of his prescription
medications and CPAP therapy.
“I actually think that Dr. Provost saved my life,” Gary
admits. “Had I not had this surgery, I have no doubt that I
would not have lasted very long.”

Is Weight Loss Surgery
Right for You?
Dr. Provost often treats high-risk patients at Provost Bariatrics, including patients over age 50, but considers several
factors when determining whether surgery is a viable treatment option for an older patient. According to a 2009 study
reported in the Archives of Surgery, super-obesity and a
greater burden of chronic disease are more closely linked
to increased risks from weight-loss surgery than a patient’s
age. In fact, weight-loss surgery has been found to be one of
the most effective treatment options for patients of any age
who are unable to overcome clinical obesity through diet
and exercise alone.
If you are considering surgical weight loss, it’s worth
finding a bariatric program that offers high-quality, comprehensive care and the latest surgical technology. After
all, you deserve the best for your transformation.
Dr. David Provost is committed to helping patients looking for weight loss solutions at his Denton weight loss surgery practice. Provost Bariatrics is part of Texas Health
Physicians Group. Dr. Provos Ё